Portable toilet device



July'Zl, 1959- E. NAGEL EI'AL 2,895,142

PORTABLE TOILET DEVICE Filed Nov. s. 1955 57 3/ r E/eussr mm. 52 I 52STELLANEMGEQNVENTORS I" I I Q 53 14 15 53 i6 BY United States PatentPORTABLE TOILET DEVICE Ernest Nagel and Stellane Nagel, Downey, Calif;

Application November 3, 1955, Serial No. 544,728 I 3 Claims. (Cl. 4-135)This invention relates generally to toilet devices and relates moreparticularly to portable toilets for small children,

It is an object of the invention to provide a portable toilet that isparticularly adapted for easy and convenient use by small children.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterwherein the lower part is unitary in construction with the pot a part ofthe base, or lower section or part.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter wherein there is novel means for sealingly securing the potlid in closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a deviceof thischaracter wherein the pot lid may be easily and quickly released forremoval so that the device may be used.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter that has a back member for supporting the back of a childusing the device, said back member being part of the lower section orpart of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterthat is easy to handle for emptying, or the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter that has a protective cover which encloses the lower part.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter having novel means for securing the cover to the lower part ofthe device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter that is simple and sturdy in construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a de vice of thischaracter that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufliciently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescription of the accompanying draw ings which represent one embodimentof the device. After considering this example, skilled persons willunderstand that many variations may be made without departing from theprinciples disclosed and we contemplate the employment of anystructures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device with the cover attached;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the lower part or section of the device;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the releasable lid securing means taken online 5-5 of Fig. 3;

2,895,142 Patented July 21, 1959 Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken online 66 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the cover securing means taken on line7--7 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the device may be ofsuitable plastic material or any other suitable material, and comprisesa lower part or section, indicated generally at 10, and a cover or topsection, in dicated generally at 12,

The lower section comprises a base 14, shown as circular in shape,having a thickened portion 15 from the periphery of which is anupstanding wall 16 having a rear part 17 generally semi-circular incross section and a front part 18 generally semi-ovate. A flange 19extends from the upper edge of the wall 16 outwardly, the rear part 20of said flange being arcuate in shape and the forward part 21 being ofgenerally the shape of half an oval or semi-ovate.

The upper interior edge of the wall of the pot is beveled or rounded, asat 23, and receives the thickened portion 24 of a lid, indicatedgenerally at 25, which has a flange 26 extending outwardly about theportion 24. A gasket 27 is provided on the under side of the flange 26for sealing engagement with the top surface of the pot flange 19.

Means for releasably securing the lid is provided, and comprises a pairof latch devices, indicated generally at 30, one at each side of thelid. As the latch devices 30 are of the same construction and operation,a description of only one will be made.

Each latch device 30 comprises a vertical rod 31, having its lower endportion slidably received in the bore 32 of a boss 33 upstanding fromthe base 14 in outwardly spaced relation to the wall 16 of the pot. Theboss 33 may be formed integrally with the base or secured thereto by anysuitable means, such as an adhesive, screws or the like. The upper endof the rod 31 extends upwardly through and is slidable in an opening 35provided therefor in the flange 19 and at the upper end of said rod is alaterally turned cover engaging projection or hook 36. The opening 35 isprovided with a laterally extending part 37 into which the hook 36 fitswhen the rod is in the downward or retracted position, at which time thelower end of the rod rests on the bottom of the recess or bore 32 andthe top end of the rod and hook are substantially flush with the uppersurface of the flange 19 so that the upper surface of the device will besmooth and devoid of upwardly projecting parts when the device is inuse. There is also a spring 39 about the upper end of the rod, saidspring reacting between the under side of the flange 19 and a cross pin40 received in a cross bore provided therefor in said rod, said springyieldingly urging the rod downwardly.

In assembling the latching device, the rod 30 is in serted in theopening 35 and the spring 39 placed on said rod. The lower end of therod is then placed in the bore 32, the spring being compressed againstthe flange 19 sufliciently to permit insertion of the cross pin 40.

It is to be noted that the openings 35 are adjacent the edge of the lidat substantially opposite sides thereof and are not covered by the edgeportion of said lid. Also, the portions 37 of the openings 35 also areclear of the lid so that when the hooks 36 are within the portions 37the rods may be raised and the hooks turned toward the lid and overlieadjacent edge portions of said lid. The springs 39 urge the rodsdownwardly to seturning same to a position whereat the hooks are clearof the lid and will enter the portions 37 when lowered.

The pot portion of the lower section or part is forwardly off-set or offcenter of the base to'provide room for a pot handle 44 at the rear ofthe pot, and said handle may extend vertically between the base 14 andthe flange 19. There is also an arcuate back supporting member 49upstanding from the flange 19 at the rear thereof.

The cover may be of any suitable shape but is shown as cylindrical,having a cylindrical wall 50 and a top wall 51. The cover is adapted tofit over the lower section and rest on the outer edge portion of thebase, although it may be otherwise arranged. In any event the pot,handle 44 and back member 49 may, if desired, be formed integrally.

There is also means for securing the cover to the lower section, saidmeans including arcuate members 52 having depending end portions 53secured to the base so that the members 52 are spaced upwardly of thebase and define with portions thereof, openings 55 for reception ofdownwardly tapered inner end portions 56 of pins 57 which are slidablein openings provided therefor in lugs 58 at the lower end of thecylindrical wall 50 of the cover. The arrangement is such that the covermay be secured by the pins 57 without having to be exactly placed on thelower section, said openings 55 extending horizontally. Obviously thepins 57 will enter any part of said slots or openings 55 and engage themembers 52 to secure the cover to the lower part of the device. The pins57 are at generally opposite sides of the device although they do notneed tobe exactly opposite. If desired the outer ends of the pins may beprovided with cross-pins 57a.

The cover is also provided with a compartment 60 in the upper forwardportion, as best shown in Fig. 2. The compartment is defined by walls 61and said compartment may be used for storage of toilet paper or anyother articles that may be needed and will fit into said compartment.The top 51 of the cover defines only a portion of the upper end of saidcover, the remaining portion comprising a closure wall 63 hinged at 64along its chordal edge which lies adjacent the chordal edge 65 of thetop 51. A handle 66 is secured to the top 51 for lifting and carryingthe device when the cover is attached, and for removing or replacing thecover.

The device is compact and convenient and may be used in an automobilewhen traveling, or in the home. Further, it is thought that theinvention and many more of its attendant advantages will be understoodfrom the foregoing description and it is thought that it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit andscope thereof, or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely an example of one embodiment.

'We claim:

1. A device of the character described, comprising: a base having a wallupstanding therefrom to define, with a portion of said base, a potchamber offset forwardly on said base, said chamber wall curvingforwardly and inwardly; a flange extending horizontally outwardly fromthe upper edge of the chamber wall and having openings therethrough atgenerally opposite sides of said chamber and spaced outwardly of saidchamber; a removable lid for said chamber, having a horizontal marginalportion extending outwardly of said chamber to a position adjacent tobut short of said openings; a marginal gasket on the lower side of saidlid; guide means extending upwardly of the base beneath each of saidopenings and each guide means having a veitical recess aligned with itsrespective opening; each opening having a vertical rod slidable theretothe lower position, said rods being adapted to be raised and rotated tobring the books into overlying position relative to adjacent marginalportions of said lid so that said lid is held down by said yieldingmeans; a back member upstanding from said flange behind said chamber; a

handle on said chamber at the rear thereof; a cover adapted to coversaid chamber, back and handle; a storage compartment in the upperforward portion of said cover; an openable closure for said compartment;and means for releasably securing said cover to said base, includingmeans defining elongated horizontal openings, and pins slidable inopenings provided therefor in the cover, said pins being receivable insaid elongated openings.

2. A device of the character described, comprising: a base having a wallupstanding therefrom to define, with a portion of said base, a potchamber offset forwardly on said base, said chamber wall curvingforwardly and inwardly; a flange extending horizontally outwardly fromthe upper edge of the chamber wall and having openings at generallyopposite sides of said chamber and spaced outwardly of said chamber; aremovable lid for said chamber, having a marginal portion extendingoutwardly; a marginal gasket on the lower side of said lid; verticalrods slidable in said openings and having hook portions at the upperends; guides for the lower ends of said rods; yielding means urging saidrods downwardly, said rods being rotatable to move said hooks between aposition overlying edge portions of said lid and a position clear ofsaid edge portions; a back member extending upwardly from the flange atthe rear of the chamber; and a handle on said chamber wall at the rearthereof.

3. A device of the character described, comprising: a base having a wallupstanding therefrom to define, with a portion of said base, a potchamber offset forwardly on said base, said chamber wall curvingforwardly and inwardly; a flange extending horizontally outwardly fromthe upper edge of the chamber wall and having openings at generallyopposite sides of said chamber and spaced outwardly of said chamber; aremovable lid for said chamber, having a marginal portion extendingoutwardly; a marginal gasket on the lower side of said lid; verticalrods slidable in said openings and having hook portions at the upperends; guides for the lower ends of said rods; yielding means urging saidrods downwardly, said rods being rotatable to move said hooks between aposition overlying edge portions of said lid and a position clear ofsaid edge portions; and a back member extending upwardly from the flangeat the rear of the chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS181,216 Smith Aug.15, 1876 891,887 Wallace June 30, 1908 1,197,786 BeachSept. 12, 1916 1,954,684 Shively Apr. 10, 1934 2,299,065 Scheerer Oct.13, 1942 2,320,845 Bolton June 1, 1943 2,511,852 Jackson June 20, 19502,559,027 Miralta-Seix July 3, 1951 2,639,439 Perry May 26, 1953

